Muzzle Break

ABSTRACT

A muzzle break which directs propelling gases rearward and upward to reduce both recoil and muzzle jump. The gases are redirected by curved vanes which extend from a tapered central bore whose diameter decreases in the shooting direction.

This application claims benefit of U.S. provisional patent application60/777,125, filed Feb. 28, 2006.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a muzzle break.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to improve the reduction of recoil of afirearm.

Another object is to reduce muzzle jump where a firearm is discharged.

These and other objects are attained by a muzzle break as describedbelow

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings,

FIG. 1 is a perspective view, from the rear, the right side and above,of a muzzle break embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a similar view, partially broken away to show internaldetails;

FIG. 3 is another similar view, with the top half broken away;

FIG. 4 is a top view of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a rear elevation of the muzzle break shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 6 is a front elevation thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A muzzle break embodying the invention is shown attached to the frontend of the barrel “B” of a rifle (not shown). The muzzle break shown hasa body 10 with a top surface 12, a bottom surface 14 and a right sidesurface 16 shown. The device is symmetrical, so the left side is amirror image of the right side.

Eight discharge passages 18 are formed on either side of the body; theyintersect the left and right sides at openings or ports 20.

As one can see in FIG. 2, the discharge passages are separated by vanes22 which are curved so as to redirect high-pressure, high-velocity gasesexiting the barrel in a forward direction “F” so that they leave themuzzle break in a direction “R” having a substantial rearwardcomponents. As it partially reverses the forward momentum of the gases,the muzzle break is propelled forward with substantial force at themoment the gun is fired. For this reason, the muzzle break must be verysecurely attached to the barrel. I prefer to provide the barrel withscrew threads “T”, and the rear of the muzzle break with matchinginternal threads 24, so that the muzzle break is not forced off the endof the barrel. The muzzle break shown has a split collar 26 whose halvesare drawn together by set screws 28, once the muzzle break has beenthreaded onto the barrel, to prevent the muzzle break from turning onthe barrel.

As one can see from FIGS. 5 and 6, the muzzle break is not symmetricalabout a horizontal plane containing the barrel axis. A greater portionof the device lies above that plane, so that, when the rifle is fired,the gases exiting the ports have not only a substantial rearwardcomponent, but also a slight upward component. This pushes the end ofthe barrel down to compensate for the tendency of the barrel to rise orjump. The exact degree of jump suppression can be altered by appropriatechanges in design geometry.

The effectiveness of the muzzle break is improved, with respect to priormuzzle breaks, by providing the device with a central passage 30 whosediameter decreases from the end of the barrel to the forward end of themuzzle break. This improvement distributes the gas flow more evenlybetween the ports, inasmuch as the gas pressure is less at the entry toeach passage as the bullet passes them. The hole 32 at the front end ofthe muzzle break is just large enough to allow the bullet to pass,without interference or deflection. The muzzle break therefor must besized according to the caliber of the gun.

The vane angles, particularly the discharge angles, should be selectedto optimize effect without discomfort to the shooter. Directing thegases straight rearward might provide the most recoil reduction, but itwould be dangerous or at least uncomfortable to the shooter. An anglemust be selected which directs the gases well away from the shooter, yetprovides acceptable recoil reduction.

Since the invention is subject to modifications and variations, it isintended that the foregoing description and the accompanying drawingsshall be interpreted as only illustrative of the invention defined bythe following claims.

1. A muzzle break comprising a body having a central bore lying on anaxis defining a shooting direction and a plurality of passages leadingaway from the bore on opposite sides of the central bore to ports at thesurface of the body, the passages being defined by a plurality of curvedvanes so that at least some of the passages are shaped to directpropelling gas in a direction having a rearward component, with respectto the shooting direction, and means for connecting the muzzle break toa barrel of a gun.
 2. The invention of claim 1, wherein at least some ofthe passages are inclined upward with respect to a horizontal planecontaining the shooting direction, so that there is a net downward forceon the barrel of the gun when it is discharged to counter barrel jump.3. The invention of claim 1, wherein the central bore is tapered, havinga diameter which decreases in the shooting direction.